This is the last chapter, so enjoy! I'll be starting my third installment of the H/A series, which I've named "Daughter of Troy." The chapters will be a bit slower, because I'll be putting out two chapters every time I update, one for Daughter of Troy and one for Gazing in a Mirror. They're going to directly relate to one another. If it works the way I'm hoping it will, it should turn out good. Anyways, the last chapter before all the sad stuff of Troy begins, so enjoy it.

The soft, happy giggle of her child caused a smile to creep onto her face, though her eyes were still closed.

"You're finally awake," Hector said, the grin evident in his voice. "Happy tenth anniversary, my wife."

"And to you also, husband," Andromache answered, smiling and opening her eyes. Her gaze softened as she observed her husband cradling their child in his arms. Astyanax was playing with the edge of the blanket that surrounded him, content with drooling onto his father's arms. "He's taking his revenge ahead of time, when he's still able to do so without facing the consequences," she said, observing him.

"Smart boy," Hector said laughing. He handed Astyanax to her and went to get a rag to wipe his arm with.

Andromache unfastened her nightgown to allow her child to nurse and draped a light blanket over her shoulder, effectively covering her modesty.

Hector noticed this when he came back over. "Ten years we've been married and I'm suddenly not allowed to see you uncovered?"

"Not while I'm nursing," Andromache stubbornly protested. It had been ingrained into her mind since she was a child, and she wasn't about to change her notions of propriety. A nursing woman was not supposed to be seen by any man, no matter if he was her husband. That's just the way it worked.

"Well, it is our anniversary," Hector began.

"So it is," she agreed teasingly.

"And seeing as our ninth passed rather unobtrusively, since you were with child, I have decided that today is yours, to do with as you wish," he said generously, lightly brushing her lips with his own.

Andromache smiled, but answered right away. "Let's go up to the hill," she said, her eyes growing soft. "I haven't been there in awhile."

"I'd like that," Hector agreed, his eyes taking on a reminiscent look. "An all-day picnic."

Andromache shook her head. "No, it must only be for a few hours. I can't be away from Astyanax that long."

Hector flicked her head lightly and stood up. "Am I the Tamer of Horses for nothing? Get dressed and meet me in the stables, I'll be waiting." And with that, he left her.

Andromache laughed and summoned Niobe to care for Astyanax while she prepared for their day together. She donned a light green outfit that allowed her to move easily and grabbed the hides full of food for the day. Niobe followed her carrying Astyanax in her arms and the two of them quickly arrived at the stables, where Hector had Eclipse and Elpis saddled and waiting. He slung the hides over Elpis' withers and helped his wife up onto her mount before taking Astyanax into his arms. He gently mounted the horse, careful not to startle the baby, and smiled at his wife.

"Ready?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow. She only shook her head.

"You're riding a war horse with a ninth-month old baby in your arms. My love, you are insane."

"And you love me for it," he shot back, before urging his horse into an easy walk. They maintained that pace for the entire way, so it was well after noon before they arrived. Andromache slid off her horse and went over to look at the view.

"So many memories," she murmured, feeling Hector's hand slide around her waist. He pulled her close.

"Good memories?"

"Good memories," she affirmed. Images of Cassandra's smiling face and Briseis's laughter cascaded through her mind and she sighed. "It seems as though a lifetime has passed since she departed."

"You've changed," Hector pointed out.

"I'm a mother now," she said, smiling at Astyanax who drooled back at her. "Cassandra would have loved him."

She turned and went into the grove of trees nearby, over to a small patch of flowers. She knelt down beside the invisible grave and reached for Hector's hand. "So long ago."

"I can still remember it as clearly as though it were yesterday."

"Our child would have been nearly nine years old by now."

"The gods' timing is best," he answered. "You would have been thrust into the role of motherhood too soon."

"I suppose so," she answered. "I wasn't ready."

"Now you are able to enjoy it to the fullest."

She nodded happily, reaching for Astayanx. "Shall we eat?"

"Of course, my love," he said, leading her back over and quickly preparing everything.

Astyanax was set onto a nearby blanket and contented himself with the empty hide his mother provided him, while Hector and Andromache enjoyed their meal.

When it was over, Hector raised his silver goblet. "To my wife of ten years," he began, stealing a kiss. "Who's beauty still manages to render me speechless, who's kindness leaves me amazed, and who's grace and love mean more to me than anything of this world."

She smiled warmly at him, then raised her own glass. "And to my husband of the same amount of years. Hector, your strength and honor astounds me, and your gentleness and caring make me fall in love with you all over again. You comforted me when I was brokenhearted, you loved me when I was full of anger, and you kept me safe always. I have been blessed by the gods, for no other husband in the world can match you in any way."

They finished their meal in relative silence, but a reflective silence. They had accomplished a feat which few married couples, arranged or not, manage to achieve. Ten years of marriage, and they were still as in love as though they were newlyweds. As the sun continued its journey, they slowly began to pack their things for the long ride home.

"I must mention," Hector began, "though I hate to disrupt this day. I'll be traveling to Sparta in a few week's time."

Andromache frowned worriedly. "Why?"

"Peace mission," he assured her. "There is to be no fighting. This will secure our good relations with the Greeks."

Andromache nodded, comforting herself with the thought that it was to be a peaceful mission and not another battle. "Briseis takes the priestess vows in just three weeks."

"I'll have to miss it," Hector said regretfully. "But I cannot delay. It would offend Menelaus, and that would defeat our purpose. Paris will miss the ceremony as well, Father wishes him to take a bigger part in matters of state, so he'll be accompanying me."

Andromache nodded, knowing Briseis would be disappointed, but would understand.

"Well, we should begin," Hector said, hoisting his wife up before mounting himself. Astyanax slept in his arms, clutching the fabric of his shirt, and Hector smiled before turning to face his wife. But she wasn't looking at him. She was looking out over the hill, at Troy in the distance.

"So beautiful," she whispered softly.

"So much more than gold," he affirmed, following her gaze.

She nodded in agreement. "People always place such a high value on precious metals and jewels, yet they fail to realize the treasures in front of them. Troy is more beautiful than all the gems of the world, because of what it stands for. Its walls offer security and its rulers are fair and just. Such treasures are hard to find in these times."

"Fear not, Andromache," Hector said, reaching for her hand. "Troy will always be such, so long as I have breath in my body."

"I know," she said, smiling at him. "And that is the greatest gift you could ever give me."

They started their slow descent down the hill, the sun slowly sinking lower in the sky. And Troy ever stood in the distance, a sharp contrast to the sky that outlined it. The fires in the guard towers were beginning to be lit, and the wind was causing its banners to wave in the breeze. And the walls stood, ever strong and dependent; a blessing to Troy's inhabitants and a warning to its enemies. And those walls would stand, so long as Hector drew breath.